In the peripheral neighborhoods of Lubumbashi, women's economic empowerment is a determining factor in social and family balance. By gaining access to income-generating activities such as small-scale trade, crafts, or informal services, women strengthen their contribution to household expenses, notably in terms of food, children's education, and health. This increased participation improves living conditions and reduces families' economic vulnerability.
However, this empowerment is accompanied by transformations in family dynamics. While it promotes greater participation of women in decision-making and strengthens their status within the household, it can also generate tensions related to the redefinition of traditional gender roles, particularly in contexts where socio-cultural norms remain conservative.
Moreover, the burden of work is a major challenge, with women having to reconcile economic activities and domestic responsibilities. Despite these constraints, economic empowerment appears overall as a positive lever for family stability, promoting household resilience and better resource management. Thus, it contributes to the emergence of new social and family balances, based on greater complementarity of roles within the household.